Celebrate International Gin Day and try an innovative pink gin in your next gin and tonic. Here are some of our favourites.
While gin as a spirit category has seen the biggest boon since it had Londoners staggering in the streets under King James, within the gin movement is another revival – that of pink spirits. Whether it’s rose or grapefruit, strawberries, raspberries or a touch of Shiraz, innovative gin distillers are tapping into our taste buds with a raft of brilliant pink-hued spirits that beg to be blended into your favourite tall tipple.
Pinkster Gin
For a refreshingly different G&T, Pinkster gin is deliciously dry with a hint of fruit and a smooth finish. A ‘natural gin with a mischievous grin’ made with five botanicals, including black pepper, juniper and raspberries to give it its eye-catching hue, this pink tipple was born after gin-meister Stephen Marsh started experimenting at home, mixing assorted fruits with different spirits, quickly realising that gin and a heap of raspberries was the best combination. The berries are infused in what Marsh describes as an ‘agreeably British’ gin and later recycled to make Pinkster’s Boozy Berries and Gin Jam. Fruitiness and sweetness are clear in the taste but balanced with the black pepper and gentle spice, leaving the raspberry subtly behind the juniper core.
Edgerton Pink Gin
Inspired by the gins laced with Angostura bitters his father enjoyed in World War II, Martin Edgerton Gil, creator of the world’s first blue gin, has done it again with Edgerton Pink Gin, creating a spirit that blends 15 exotic ingredients, including pomegranate, which gives it its pink tone. Perfect as a base for a summer’s day cocktail, the recipe encompasses weird and wonderful botanicals like Damiana (used as an aphrodisiac in Mexico) and Grains of Paradise from West Africa, giving it both a depth and warm harmony. Edgerton Pink Gin is best served with fresh lime juice, a tablespoon of simple syrup and a dash of sweetened lime, in a cocktail Edgerton calls Tokyo Pink.
The Bitter Truth Pink Gin
This spirit is not just a common gin with a fake tan; with a pale pink hue, it is described by its distillers as a “sophisticated metrosexual in a salmon jumper”. Best known as producers of bitters, The Bitter Truth now produces liqueurs and flavoured spirits including this pink gin, which features a wonderfully calm mouthfeel. A juniper foundation is built upon with fresh spice flavours like liquorice, caraway and fennel. The gin is best served on its own, as a gin and tonic, or in your favourite martini.
Burleigh’s PINK Edition
Master distiller Jamie Baxter was inspired to create this floral, delicate gin after a spring visit to Tokyo. With Japanese cherry blossom, hibiscus, roses and pink grapefruit added to the Burleigh’s London Dry recipe, PINK Edition is soft, smooth and easy to drink. Try serving it with Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic and a slice of fresh pink grapefruit.
Williams Pink Grapefruit Gin
William Chase, potato farmer and founder of Tyrells Crisps, opened Chase Distillery in 2008 after producing more than enough potatoes. After discovering Chase potato vodka was too heavy to hold botanicals, an apple vodka distilled from cider was turned into gin and took to the botanical infusions of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, almond, coriander, cardamom, cloves, liquorice and lemon. Williams Pink Grapefruit Gin is ideal for tall cocktails with a spectacular pairing of fresh pink grapefruit with subtle hints of zesty lime and juniper.
Antipodes Pink Gin
Australia’s first certified organic and carbon neutral blush spirit, Antipodes has been created by blending Antipodes original organic gin with hints of Kakadu plum, olida, blue chamomile flowers and red grapefruit, as well as strawberry gum, lemon myrtle and pepper berries. The pink hue actually comes from the resting process, which involves Shiraz grapes. Get the best out of this unique gin’s flavours by adding soda water instead of tonic, and garnishing with a fresh grapefruit peel.
Bordiga Rosa
All herbs and distillates used in Bordiga’s Rosa gin are handpicked in the southwestern Alps of Italy, where mountain and maritime environments meet, making the botanicals that grow there rich in essential oils and fragrances. The Rosa gin is distilled four times separately in limited quantities in a wood-fired copper still, used since 1888. The delicate colouring and sweet aroma come from red rose buds and pink grapefruit, which are added to coriander, angelica and of course, juniper berries. The last three ingredients of the recipe are kept secret, ensuring the small batch recipe remains a mystery.
Musgrave Pink Gin
A rose-based artisanal gin distilled in South Africa, Musgrave Pink Gin features 11 signature botanicals, including cardamom, African ginger and Grains of Paradise. However, the flavour profile is based on the rose. Rosehip compliments Musgrave’s spicy nature, which is tamed with touches of rose water.
Beefeater Pink Gin
One of the worlds’ most awarded gin distillers, Beefeater has launched its Pink Gin just in time for summer, making it a strong contender for cold cocktails and summer day refreshments. A proud London gin with big juniper character and strong citrus notes, Beefeater has combined its original London dry gin with the sweetness of strawberries to create the new addition to the pink party. Enjoy Beefeater Pink with tonic water, lemonade or on the rocks with chopped fresh strawberries as a garnish.
Buss No 509 Pink Grapefruit Gin
Bright and flavoursome, Buss No. 509 is great as an aperitif. Created by Buss Spirits as part of a three spirit strong Author Collection, all of which are made with fresh fruit and botanicals, The Pink Grapefruit Gin is full of citrus flavours, with red Californian grapefruit as a botanical, along with juniper, coriander, liquorice, angelica, vanilla, cardamom, iris, orange and lemon. Sweet and fruity but balanced by a subtle bitter flavour, this gin is perfect for home mixology experiments. Also look out for Buss No 509 also produces a raspberry infused gin which takes a darker rosy hue.
Gordon’s Premium Pink Gin
One of the first to launch on the market Gordon’s Pink Gin is perfect for summer cocktails. Packed with refreshing notes of strawberry, raspberry, and redcurrant, it’s like an English summer garden in a glass and was inspired by a Gordon’s recipe dating from the 1880s. Made with all natural fruit flavours, this gin brings a whole new dimension to classic gin cocktails, while also making for the perfect base for seasonal punch.
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